Hood praised as creating opportunities for others

Rev. Dedric Cowser speaks at the funeral for Dr. James Hood, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013, at First United Methodist Church in Gadsden, Ala. Hood was on of the first African-Americans to enroll in the University of Alabama, made famous by Governor George Wallace's "Stand in the Schoolhouse Door" in 1963. (Gadsden Times, Marc Golden)

Published: Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 4:16 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.

James “Jimmy” Hood, a 1961 Carver High graduate who 50 years ago was one of the first blacks to attend the University of Alabama, was eulogized Thursday as a civil rights pioneer who opened the doors of opportunity for others.

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At a funeral service at Gadsden First United Methodist Church, his pastor, the Rev. Dedric Cowser of Sweet Home United Methodist Church, said as a child his grandmother told him stories of outstanding African-Americans. She told him how Hood and Vivian Malone Jones had integrated the University of Alabama.

“They refused to be defined by the color of their skin,” Cowser said. “They refused to allow anybody or anything to put them in a box.”

A picture of Hood and Jones, taken in June 1963, was in the corner of the sanctuary. The two are shown exiting Foster Auditorium after registering for classes, something they accomplished only after former Gov. George Wallace’s infamous “stand in the schoolhouse door.”

A smaller picture of the scene as well as a picture taken decades later when Wallace apologized to Hood were in Hood’s open casket before the service started.

Cowser said he was thrilled to be Hood’s pastor.

“What do you say about someone who has opened doors of opportunity for so many people,” Cowser said. “In reality, I don’t have to say a word today, because Dr. Hood has written his own eulogy by the way he lived his life.”

Cowser said a plaza and bell tower in front of Morgan Auditorium honoring the first African-Americans to attend the University of Alabama has a plaque with a quote from Hood: “One person can make a difference if that person is committed to making a difference.”

Cowser said, “If anyone was committed to his life and his calling to make a difference, it was Dr. James Hood.”

Samory Pruitt, vice president of community affairs for the University of Alabama, said Hood spoke at the November 2010 ceremonies dedicating the plaza. Hood’s words then were, “Good. Better. Best. Never rest until your good is better and your better is best.”

“Dr. Hood, you may rest,” Pruitt said, “knowing that you truly were a good man whose life did make things better for all of us, and because of you, all of us have the opportunity to be our best. As an individual standing before you today, and all associated with the institution I represent, I say to Dr. Hood and his family, thank you.”

Hood did not finish the semester after enrolling at the University of Alabama because his father was terminally ill. He later earned an undergraduate degree from Wayne State University and a master’s degree from Michigan State University.

He returned to the University of Alabama in 1995 and earned a doctorate in interdisciplinary studies in 1997.

“He moved this state forward, or helped move this state forward, with what he did when he started school at the university more than anything I can think of in a long time,” Gadsden Mayor Sherman Guyton said.

Among the acknowledgements read were condolences from U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham, and a statement from Attorney General Eric Holder that praised Hood for his courage and bravery in his efforts to integrate the University of Alabama.

Representatives of the university who sent flowers were President Judy Bonner, Chancellor Robert Witt, Coach Nick Saban and his wife, Teri, and Athletic Director Mal Moore.

<p>James “Jimmy” Hood, a 1961 Carver High graduate who 50 years ago was one of the first blacks to attend the University of Alabama, was eulogized Thursday as a civil rights pioneer who opened the doors of opportunity for others.</p><p>Hood, 70, died Jan. 17.</p><p>At a funeral service at Gadsden First United Methodist Church, his pastor, the Rev. Dedric Cowser of Sweet Home United Methodist Church, said as a child his grandmother told him stories of outstanding African-Americans. She told him how Hood and Vivian Malone Jones had integrated the University of Alabama.</p><p>“They refused to be defined by the color of their skin,” Cowser said. “They refused to allow anybody or anything to put them in a box.”</p><p>A picture of Hood and Jones, taken in June 1963, was in the corner of the sanctuary. The two are shown exiting Foster Auditorium after registering for classes, something they accomplished only after former Gov. George Wallace's infamous “stand in the schoolhouse door.” </p><p>A smaller picture of the scene as well as a picture taken decades later when Wallace apologized to Hood were in Hood's open casket before the service started.</p><p>Cowser said he was thrilled to be Hood's pastor.</p><p>“What do you say about someone who has opened doors of opportunity for so many people,” Cowser said. “In reality, I don't have to say a word today, because Dr. Hood has written his own eulogy by the way he lived his life.”</p><p>Cowser said a plaza and bell tower in front of Morgan Auditorium honoring the first African-Americans to attend the University of Alabama has a plaque with a quote from Hood: “One person can make a difference if that person is committed to making a difference.”</p><p>Cowser said, “If anyone was committed to his life and his calling to make a difference, it was Dr. James Hood.”</p><p>Samory Pruitt, vice president of community affairs for the University of Alabama, said Hood spoke at the November 2010 ceremonies dedicating the plaza. Hood's words then were, “Good. Better. Best. Never rest until your good is better and your better is best.”</p><p>“Dr. Hood, you may rest,” Pruitt said, “knowing that you truly were a good man whose life did make things better for all of us, and because of you, all of us have the opportunity to be our best. As an individual standing before you today, and all associated with the institution I represent, I say to Dr. Hood and his family, thank you.”</p><p>Hood did not finish the semester after enrolling at the University of Alabama because his father was terminally ill. He later earned an undergraduate degree from Wayne State University and a master's degree from Michigan State University.</p><p>He returned to the University of Alabama in 1995 and earned a doctorate in interdisciplinary studies in 1997.</p><p>“He moved this state forward, or helped move this state forward, with what he did when he started school at the university more than anything I can think of in a long time,” Gadsden Mayor Sherman Guyton said.</p><p>Among the acknowledgements read were condolences from U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham, and a statement from Attorney General Eric Holder that praised Hood for his courage and bravery in his efforts to integrate the University of Alabama.</p><p>Representatives of the university who sent flowers were President Judy Bonner, Chancellor Robert Witt, Coach Nick Saban and his wife, Teri, and Athletic Director Mal Moore.</p>